Bereavement Support

All our bereavement services are FREE of charge

This is a brief guideline to help you through your journey of grief. This page does not have all the answers or cover everything you will experience. Rather, this is an outline to heighten your awareness of what lies ahead, (and to show you where further help can be found should you need it). For example our bereavement support team is there to assist as you journey through your bereavement (for details and contact information see the bottom of the page). There are also many good books available.

What is grief and why do we need to grieve?

Grief is what follows the death of someone you love. Grief is a process, not a state. The process takes time to work properly and cannot be rushed. Grieving is normal and healthy. Grief is a natural function by which you will make a healthy adjustment to the significant loss in your life. However, society can make it difficult for you to grieve openly and naturally. This is where a bereavement support person can be invaluable. Your way of grieving will be a uniquely personal experience. Grief is NOT about forgetting, or the painful letting go of memories. Rather grieving is a process where good memories are affirmed and bad memories are healed. The grief process has common patterns:

Feelings of shock

Deep emotions and sadness, sometimes relief

Tears and laughter

Depression and loneliness

Physical symptoms of distress

Feelings of guilt

Hostility and resentment

Difficulty in continuing usual daily activities

Adjusting to a new way of living.

Your grief can often affect the way you see yourself and the way you look at the world. A bereavement support person will accompany you as you navigate the changes and move forward into your new future. It is very important to recognise and work through your feelings. Repressing grief, and failure to allow this natural healing process to take its course can take a toll in many ways.

A support person who cares is vital.

It is of great value to share your feelings with at least one trusted person. You may have supportive friends and family to talk with, but many people find it is easier to speak freely with someone independent, who they don’t know personally. Our bereavement support team is there for this purpose. A bereavement support person will:

Spend time with you

Listen to you and allow you to express opinions without passing judgement

Support you as you make adjustments and move forward into your future

Respect and value you through your time of pain and respect your vulnerability

Provide the names of professionals who can help if it is felt that is what is needed.